still not sleeping

[brenny]

It has been 5 nights and I stiil am not sleeping with the mask. Last night was the worst, I fixated on the mask in my nose. I kept taking it off because it hurt, and because my nose itched. It drove me nuts. Should I try a different mask?

Brenny

[Moogy]

Brenny,

It wouldn't hurt to TRY another mask. Since your recently got the equipment, your supplier might let you get another mask as a swap-out.

Hang in there!

Moogy

[roztom]

Sounds like you are using a Nasal pillow mask. Are you? What kind of mask do you have?

Please list your eqipt on your profile so we can see what you've got.

A Nasal mask might work better for you. ALso depending on the mask you have there may be things you can do to help yourself adjust to it and make it more comfortable.

What kind of pressure are you at?

Let the forum know more details and I'm sure you'll get the info you need to make progress.

Tom

[Swordz]

I can't personally reccomend any, but you might ask people's routines for getting familiar with the masks. By routines, I mean overcoming the anxiety and unfamiliar feelings and emotions the whole process presents.

If you are still having troubles days/weeks from now, I would recomend a Sleep Psychologist. I have started seeing one, and will continue once I recieve my new machine in the weeks ahead. Yah, I know, it seems there's a doctor for everything now. But these guys know you think, so why wouldn't they be able to help you overcome mental stigmas? Mine has already helped alot in suggesting sleep techniques and using CBT. We actually had a LONG discussion about the different nerve systems, how they affect sleep/wake cycle, and how to control the sleep-related system to help initiate sleep. Crazy stuff!! (but helpful)

[TerryB]

brenny,
I'm very new at this myself but I know that there are many parts to getting used to the whole thing.
1. Just getting used to ANY stuff hanging on your face for the night. If you have any anxiety or phobia about this it is worse. Maybe wearing it WITHOUT trying to sleep will lessen the trauma with familiarity?

2. Finding a mask/adjustment/sizing parts for comfort can be a pain, all I can say there is experiment to find the best fit for you.

3. I have been lucky in that I have the information to allow me to set up my machine to do any/all of its variations and I am most comfortable at CPAP and 1 C-flex. I think a large variation in pressure disturbed me.

4. Mouth breathing is also yet to be fully overcome, a chin strap works, but I am going to do a mouthguard DIY project today in fact.

Somebody described xPAP as a new hobby and I think that is an apt descriotion.

Lastley, cardreader is on the way so I'll be tuning my therapy more closely soon.

Good Luck

TerryB

[ozij]

Brenny,
If your nose is very sore, ask your therapist if it's OK for you to take a 2-3 night break to let it heal.

My nose was painful after the first week on the Breeze, my therapist recommended a break to keep pressure sores from developing. It was a great idea, I have never had to take a break since (it's almost a year now).

O.

[chdurie2]

terry b--hobby? it becomes an obsession.

caroline

[elliejose]

Ayr Gel makes a lot of difference when you have a sore, dry, burning nose.
It is behind the counter at our Wal-Mart. So I have to ask the druggist for it there. But I get it off the shelf at the grocery store. Also some recommend Vaseline or generic KY gel. Ayr may burn a little at first but the saline seems healing. It also contain aloe and glycerin.

Looks like you have the Swift. That is what I use and don't know if I'd have ever adapted to it without the Ayr.

Good luck!!

[Darth Vader Look]

You may need to up the size of the pillows. The mask you show in your equipment signature (the swift) was the first mask I used. The pillows were too small and made my nose sore as well. I purchased Secarius gel and even that didn't help. The pillow size makes a big difference but consider trying another mask. The activa has a high rating on many forums so you might want to try that. Another suggestion is to sit and read or watch TV while wearing the mask and having the PAP unit running. This will help you get use to it.

[Snoredog]

The mask you choose is a hard one to start with (in my opinion), maybe after you get used to wearing it you can tolerate it easier. Some can tolerate those things inside their nares, I cannot.

I would suggest trying Resmed UltraMirage2 nasal mask, it won't be blowing cold air directly into your nares and it will be quieter, smaller annoyances. The cushion design eliminates the need to overtighten the headgear eliminating pressure points.

Next, if your room is cold this will make things harder, if you keep it 65-68F that would help. The humidifier is there to add moisture to the delivery air, it is not really there to warm the incoming air although some think it is. If your in a cold environment where there is snow, I would invest in a Aussie heated hose, it's like having an electric blanket.

Understand it takes some time (avg. 4-6 weeks) to get used to wearing the mask where you can fall asleep easily. To help things along, be sure to use any ramp feature, nearly all machines have one, if you don't know how to enable it, come back here and ask, you'll get the answer you need.

Other things that help is taking a hot shower before bed, removing any oils from the face, controlling nasal congestion, use a night time sedative if needed like TylenolPM, Nyquil or even melatonin, they can help get you over the hump for a few nights but I wouldn't use anything other than melatonin myself long term.

Wearing the mask a few minutes watching tv, reading a book etc. before bed can sometimes help getting used to the mask. If you can only wear it 1hr a few nights that is okay, work up to 2hr then 3 and before you know it you'll be sleeping all night with it.

If you have only been on the mask for 5 nights and can only get 1-2 hrs use, that is normal, just work up to it. Eliminate all the small problems you encounter one by one.

[chdurie2]

dsrth--what do you find the difference to be between secarious and ayr gels? i looked at the formula for secarious and it looked like a medium level moisturizer, not a saline base, whereas ayr gel ingredients have minimal moisturizing properties.

thanks.

caroline

[Janelle]

The Swift is also one of many masks that should be worn loose, NOT TIGHT!. Too many people and even DMEs and techs, make the straps as tight as they can get them, which will actually cause leaks and soreness not prevent them.

The Swift's pillows barely rest inside the nares and what holds them there is the inflation of the pillows.

Agree, you may need a smaller size pillow or larger.

Wear your Swift around the house, while you are reading in a chair, taking a nap and you will get where you barely notice it. This is probably the least intrusive of the xPAP masks. All it touches are the nares. There is no pressure on the upper lip like the Breeze, there is no headgear sliding around on your head, wearing off your hair like the Breeze and others. You don't have to put your head in a just so position to watch TV right before you go to sleep in bed.

Or, you can take the advice one PAPer's Dr. gave him, "GET OVER IT!"

[roztom]

I've had the worst time with my Swift but haven't given up on it.

I've had I believe as bad a time as any but my nose is getting better about it (but fighting all the way).

I felt like I burnt my sinuses with it and stopped using it for a week before trying again.

I also have lowered my pressure from CPAP 9cm to 6 - 12 APAP. I spend most of the time at the low end and that has helped also.

I also invested in 2 tubes of AYR Gel and use it before retiring and also during the day for nares repair.

I prefer the Swift because of it's comfort over my nasal mask. It has been a slow adjustment for me but I expect to succeed, eventually.

Everyone is different - some have no problem - others give up.

Tom

[chdurie2]

tom--

i believe the ayr gel is burning out your nose. it's saline. that means salt. salt on wounds? it has aloe vera but as the 7th or 8th ingredient. not a lot. it cleans you out, but its moisturizing properties are minimal. you might consider switching to petroleum or even a gentle facial/body moisturizer belonging to your wife (put it in your nose.) you need lubrication.

maybe i've said this before but i just cannot believe you keep using ayr gel if your nose is that bad. maybe i'm out of line but i'm just trying to help.

caroline

[Darth Vader Look]

Caroline, I was unable to find the Ayr gel up here in Canada and had the Secarius gel recommended to me instead. I believe it does have moisturizing effects and did work for me.